Adjustable feeder for standard ingot-molds.



.1. TURNER & B. H. HOWARD.

ADJUSTABLE FEEDER FOR STANDARD INGOT MOLDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30| 1915.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

amen/Lez .5"

ERNEST J TURNER, 0F PITTSBURGH, AND BLOOMFIELD H. HOWARD, 0F ASPINWALL, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE FEEDER FOR STANDARD IN GOT-IVIOLDS.

Specification ofV Letters Patent.

Application iled Apr130, 1915. Serial No. 24,913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, ERNEST .ITURNER and BLOOMFIELD H. HOWARD, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Pittsburgh, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and of Aspinwall, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Feeders for Standard Ingot-Molds, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the manufacture of iron or steel ingots and has for its object to prevent, or reduce to a minimum the formation of cavities, holes or seams known as piping in the upper portion of the ingot.

A further object vof the invention is `to provide an adjustable feeder made of furnace sand, fire clay or other refractory material that may be used with any standard ingot mold.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a novel means for adjusting the feeder so as to extend down into the mold any desired distance.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will appear in the course of the description.

A practical embodiment of our invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like letters are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a sectional plan view of the preferred form of the feeder; Fig. 2 is a side view showing it applied to a mold; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of a modification; Fig. 4 is a side of the same showing it applied to a mold; Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of another modification.; Fig. 6 is a side view of the same showing it applied to a mold; and Fig. 7 is a side view of another modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, A is any standard ingot mold of any size, shape or dimensions whatsoever with suitable lugs a to which may be fastened `chains, rods or other suitable means for moving the ingot mold A by means of a Crane, derrick or other suitable device, either before or after the feeder has been placed thereon.

B, represents the feeder which is of fur-l nace sand, fire clay or other refractory material and shaped to conform to the size of any standard ingot, the outer diameter of the feeder being substantially the same as the inner diameter of the mold A.

Surrounding the "feeder B is a solid continuous metal band C which fits sufliciently loose to admit of its being moved freely u pward or downward and is held in any desired position thereon by wedges D inserted between the feeder B and the band C.

It will be seen that the band C4 can be readily adjusted on the feeder and rests loosely on the top of the moldand firmly supports the feeder thereon. Q

In Figs. 3 and 4, the feeder B is surrounded by a metal band E formed of sections e, e2, e3 and e4 hinged together .as shown. The sections e and affare provided with apertured lugs e5 and c6 through which a screw epasses'and by means of which the band is clamped upon the feeder.

two sections 7", f2 hinged together and their free ends extended to form lugs f3 and f4 upon which iit a ring f5 and by means of which the band F is clamped upon the feeder. Any other lfastening means may be employed in place ofthe ring.

In Fig. 7 a band in the form of a chain G provided with a hook or other fastening is employed.

In the use of any of the above described means, it will be seen that the feeder may be inserted into the ingot mold A to any degree whatsoever, thus providing a feeder that may be used in casting ingots of greater or lesser length with the same mold.

From the foregoing description taken in i connection with the drawings, the method of casting ingots by the use of our adjustable feeder is as follows: Any of the various devices shown in the several figures may be used, but we prefer that shown in Figs. 1

and 2 and will describe the process of castv resting loosely upon top of the ingot mold A, the lower portion of the feeder projecting down into the bore of the ingot mold A, with the upper portion projecting out and above the mold.

While in this position, molten metal is poured into the ingot mold through the feeder which is heated to a high degree. As the molten metal comes in contact with the heated feeder of refractory material, the iron or lsteel is held in a molten state for a considerable length of time and While in this condition will flow downward andV ll any pipes that may be formed by the contraction of the metal cooling below, so that a solid ingot free from pipes is produced.

'We claim: 1. A feeder for ingot molds, comprising a tubular body of refractory material, and a member surrounding the feeder and adjust- L' a band surrounding Vthe feeder, and Wedges between the band and in position.`

ERNEST J. TURNER. BLOOMFIELD H. HOWARD.

feeder for securing it 

